Why the Greenline 39?

For Gordon, the Greenline 39 was the culmination of extensive research into the perfect vessel for their European adventure. “We’ve always loved being on the water,” he shares. “We have a share in a yacht in Newport and have done a lot of Mediterranean cruising. Initially, we considered buying a small apartment in Europe, but we couldn’t decide on a location—Italy, France, Spain, or the UK. Then we had this idea: why not get an apartment on the water?”

Opting for a motor vessel rather than a yacht, the Greenline 39 ticked all their boxes. “We wanted something more comfortable than a sailing vessel,” Gordon explains. “And given our background as yachties, we didn’t want to rely solely on a diesel engine. The hybrid drive was a perfect solution. Greenline has a strong history in hybrid technology, and the boat’s sleek design caught our eye—it’s a real head-turner. Everywhere we go, people stop to admire it.”

Fiona adds, “The size felt just right. It’s ideal for the two of us, but there’s more than enough room to host friends. We’ve spent about 50% of our time alone and the other half with guests. It’s perfect for that format.”

The Appeal of Hybrid Boating

Sustainability was a key factor in their decision-making. “We’ve got a hybrid car and a hybrid-powered home with solar panels and batteries,” says Gordon. “It was only natural to extend this to our boating. I love the idea of going fully electric, but having the backup diesel engine gives us peace of mind. For us, Greenline was the best option.”

Impressively Gordon charted a course and after 3 months of cruising they only have 40 hours on their engine, testament to their commitment to electric drive and the relability and ability of the Greenline 39 to cruise sustainably.

The True Greenline 39 Review – Their Favourite Features

The Greenline 39 is packed with thoughtful design elements, many of which delighted Fiona and Gordon throughout their journey.
“At the risk of sounding a bit girly,” Fiona laughs, “I loved the kitchen setup. The way the benchtop folds down creates a bar-like feel, seamlessly connecting the interior with the exterior. It has been fantastic for entertaining.”

Other standout features include:

• Swim Platform: “we loved having the lowering transom and using that as a swim platform,” Fiona recalls.
• Storage: “The stern lockers were incredible—plenty of room for suitcases and gear,” she adds.
• Comfortable Cabins: “The master cabin was spacious, with a big, comfortable bed,” says Gordon. “And the headroom throughout the boat is amazing. Even downstairs, I felt I had plenty of clearance, which is rare being 6’6”.”
• Convenience: “We loved the fresh water-flushing toilets,” Fiona shares. “It felt like a real bathroom, not a typical yacht setup.”

Effortless Handling and Manoeuvring

The Greenline 39’s technology extends beyond sustainability—it enhances the boat’s manoeuvrability. “We opted for a stern thruster, which makes life so much easier,” says Gordon. “You can turn the boat on a sixpence. There were times we had to rethink our approach in marinas, and it was no problem to back out, turn around, and go in bow-first.”

The autopilot and open design added to the ease of operation. “We felt very comfortable with just the two of us, even in tight marina spaces,” Gordon adds. “The indoor-outdoor flow through the helm side door was fantastic and the visibility from the helm is excellent. We even let friends with little boating experience take the wheel in open water—it’s that easy to handle.”

A Floating Dream Come True

Reflecting on their adventure, Fiona and Gordon couldn’t be happier with their choice. “The Greenline 39 has truly become our floating apartment,” Fiona says. “It combines all the comforts of home with the freedom to explore Europe’s waterways. From the thoughtful design to the sustainable hybrid drive, it’s been a perfect fit for our journey.”

“We’ve created memories that will last a lifetime,” says Gordon. “It’s been everything we hoped for and more.”

Stay tuned for part 2 where we follow their three month journey from Slovenia to Montenegro and back and how they managed to do this with only 40 engine hours. We will also discuss why they took delivery in Europe, how the experience was and talk about what is next.

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